Months-long investigation leads to eight arrests in Old Saybrook

Old Saybrook – Police seized a pistol, cocaine, more than a quarter-pound of marijuana and other drug-related items Friday while searching a home two doors down from the Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School.

The execution of the search-and-seizure warrant at 96 Old Boston Post Road was the result of a months-long investigation that Friday led to the arrest of eight people, including two 17-year-olds and one 15-year-old, police said.

Jesse Johnston, 47, of 96 Old Boston Post Road, was charged with operating a drug factory, possession of more than half an ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and risk of injury to a minor.

Johnston was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Monday.

David Johnston, 20, of 96 Old Boston Post Road, was charged with operating a drug factory, possession of more than half an ounce of marijuana, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and risk of injury to a minor.

Johnston was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Monday.

Christian Simone, 20, of 96 Old Boston Post Road, was charged with possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of more than half an ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school.

Simone was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Jan. 8.

Michael VanMeter, 26, of 55 Falls Landing Road, Deep River, was charged with possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana, and possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school.

VanMeter was released on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on Jan. 8.

Richard J Lapollo, 41 of 12 Oak Hill Road, Oakdale, was issued an infraction for possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana.

A 17-year-old juvenile, whose name was not released because of the age, was charged with operating a drug factory, possession of more than half an ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The teen was processed and released to a parent or guardian on a promise to appear.

A 17-year-old juvenile was chargd with possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. The teen was processed and released to a parent or guardian on a promise to appear.

A 15-year-old juvenile was charged with possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. The teen was processed and released to a parent or guardian on a promise to appear.